Latest news with #FrancesMillar
North Wales Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
I spent a day in the latest Omaze dream home - a sprawling £5.5m country farmhouse
The nation has been captivated by a multi-million pound house raffle. The Omaze house draw offers not just a plush new abode, but the opportunity to become an overnight millionaire, all for as little as £10. For the first time ever, the Express was given exclusive access – a sneak peek inside the latest grand prize before the new owner steps foot in it. This is the 38th property Omaze has offered in its five-year history, and of the previous fortunate winners, many have chosen to sell rather than settle down. Previous properties have ranged from a sleek Cornish cliffside dwelling, a grand Georgian townhouse in central London to a Highlands mansion. This time around, it's a 17th-century farmhouse in the Cotswolds boasting five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two living rooms, a spacious kitchen-diner, a boot room, two utility rooms, a couple of extra rooms, plus a separate guest cottage. It comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered, plus a cool £250,000 in cash to help with the bills, reports the Express. Alternatively, an overnight stay at a country pad might scratch the quiet life itch. On Airbnb, there's a Cotswold Manor House, set in its own grounds in a beautiful National Trust Village on the River Thames. It comes with a cool price tag starting from £1,200 a night, but it can fit up to 16 guests, which works out at £75 per person per night. It has six bedrooms (with 11 beds) and five bathrooms, which makes it ideal for a big group gathering. For days out, look to the National Trust. Much of Downton Abbey's 2019 movie and original TV series was filmed in National Trust places, and fans can visit a lot of the locations, for example, Basildon Park is the real-life Grantham House. Back to the Omaze property, journalist Frances Millar was granted exclusive access to the sprawling property. Here's her thoughts on the country pad: With only a few hours to play 'Lady of the Manor', I took the opportunity to have a thorough look around, half-hoping for a minor mishap like a loose door handle to give me a small sense of schadenfreude. However, everything was in perfect condition. The crunching gravel drive leads you to a Cotswold stone farmhouse bathed in honey hues, adorned with wisteria and rambling pink roses, all set within lush cottage garden borders. The only sounds were the birdsong and my own gasps: "Oh my god, it's huge." Covering over 6,000 square feet, this expansive property sits on a generous plot of rolling countryside, complete with a wildflower meadow and an orchard ripe for scrumping when harvest season arrives. Additional features include a large greenhouse, stable blocks, separate garages, and a heated outdoor pool. Inside, the decor is tastefully done, as if lifted straight from the pages of Country Life Magazine. Imagine soothing sage greens, cream, duck egg blues, luxurious soft furnishings paired with flagstone floors and timber beam ceilings. It's the epitome of English countryside glamour, but as a born-and-bred Londoner - and a self-confessed scruffbag - could I see myself living here? I must confess, I found myself pondering: What would that exquisite marble bathroom look like covered in soap scum? And how would this pristine sofa fare under a layer of cat hair? Or the massive custom-made kitchen island strewn with half-drunk cups of tea and unopened post? Under my supervision, it would only take a day or two for it to be cluttered with odds and ends. However, given the size of the property, even I would struggle to make a mess of it. But the garden - now that's where I could truly feel at home. With all that space, I'd go full Good Life - just hand me a spade and call me Barbara. As an avid gardener, I couldn't resist mentally planning it out with an allotment plot, a chicken coop, perhaps even a goat. And that enormous greenhouse - the greenhouse of dreams - would be filled to the brim with citrus trees, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines. I might even try growing melons. Oh, the things I'd cultivate. I could almost envision myself filming a segment for Gardeners' World, trying not to sound too self-satisfied as I explained how I gradually replaced the lawn with a lush herbaceous border to rival Great Dixter. As for the pool, well naturally, I couldn't resist a cheeky swim - the first person to do so. The temperature was, of course, absolutely spot on. That's coming from someone who's a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold water. And it's so private, you could skinny dip without a care in the world if that's your thing. Heck, you could go full Saltburn, blast Murder on the dance floor at full volume, and dance naked, as there's not a neighbour in sight to bat an eyelid. As with every Omaze house raffle, it's all for a good cause. This draw is in partnership with Guide Dogs UK, and the charity will receive at least £1 million, potentially much more depending on ticket sales, which will fund 675 puppies during their first eight weeks of life and help people with sight loss gain greater independence. During my brief visit, I had the delight of meeting Jean Jordan, who has been volunteering with Guide Dogs UK for an impressive 32 years. She brought along Mazey, an 18-week-old lab-retriever cross, who has just embarked on her guide dog training journey. Jean, hailing from Bristol, helps manage her family's gas engineering business, but in her spare time, she welcomes future guide dogs into her home, giving them a loving start in life. She fosters these pups, providing early training and care before they transition to a specialist centre for the next phase of their journey, eventually finding their forever partner. She said: "Mazey has been a joy to raise. She's bright, affectionate, and already showing signs of being a brilliant guide dog. It's hard not to get attached, but knowing she'll go on to help someone makes it all worth it." Two million people are affected by sight loss in the UK and with the number projected to double by 2050, the work that these dedicated volunteers contribute is invaluable. But let's return to the million-pound question: is this my forever home? Would I stay or would I go? Can you picture me, living in this idyllic £5.5m Cotswold dream, just me and my cat Maggie? All those rooms! The hoovering! I can barely manage my one-bedroom flat. The house is absolutely stunning - but still, I'd take the money and run off into the sunset, giggling all the way.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I spent a day in the latest Omaze dream home - a sprawling £5.5m country farmhouse
I spent a day in the latest Omaze dream home - a sprawling £5.5m country farmhouse The Omaze house draw promises not just a luxurious new home, but the chance to become a millionaire overnight - for a little as a tenner Express journalist, Frances Millar, explores the latest Omaze house in the heart of the Cotswolds (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) The nation has been captivated by a multi-million pound house raffle. The Omaze house draw offers not just a plush new abode, but the opportunity to become an overnight millionaire, all for as little as £10. For the first time ever, the Express was given exclusive access – a sneak peek inside the latest grand prize before the new owner steps foot in it. This is the 38th property Omaze has offered in its five-year history, and of the previous fortunate winners, many have chosen to sell rather than settle down. Previous properties have ranged from a sleek Cornish cliffside dwelling, a grand Georgian townhouse in central London to a Highlands mansion. This time around, it's a 17th-century farmhouse in the Cotswolds boasting five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two living rooms, a spacious kitchen-diner, a boot room, two utility rooms, a couple of extra rooms, plus a separate guest cottage. It comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered, plus a cool £250,000 in cash to help with the bills, reports the Express. Alternatively, an overnight stay at a country pad might scratch the quiet life itch. On Airbnb, there's a Cotswold Manor House, set in its own grounds in a beautiful National Trust Village on the River Thames. It comes with a cool price tag starting from £1,200 a night, but it can fit up to 16 guests, which works out at £75 per person per night. The bespoke kitchen (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) It has six bedrooms (with 11 beds) and five bathrooms, which makes it ideal for a big group gathering. For days out, look to the National Trust. Much of Downton Abbey's 2019 movie and original TV series was filmed in National Trust places, and fans can visit a lot of the locations, for example, Basildon Park is the real-life Grantham House. Back to the Omaze property, journalist Frances Millar was granted exclusive access to the sprawling property. Here's her thoughts on the country pad: With only a few hours to play 'Lady of the Manor', I took the opportunity to have a thorough look around, half-hoping for a minor mishap like a loose door handle to give me a small sense of schadenfreude. However, everything was in perfect condition. The crunching gravel drive leads you to a Cotswold stone farmhouse bathed in honey hues, adorned with wisteria and rambling pink roses, all set within lush cottage garden borders. The only sounds were the birdsong and my own gasps: "Oh my god, it's huge." Covering over 6,000 square feet, this expansive property sits on a generous plot of rolling countryside, complete with a wildflower meadow and an orchard ripe for scrumping when harvest season arrives. Additional features include a large greenhouse, stable blocks, separate garages, and a heated outdoor pool. Inside, the decor is tastefully done, as if lifted straight from the pages of Country Life Magazine. The entrance hall (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) Imagine soothing sage greens, cream, duck egg blues, luxurious soft furnishings paired with flagstone floors and timber beam ceilings. It's the epitome of English countryside glamour, but as a born-and-bred Londoner - and a self-confessed scruffbag - could I see myself living here? I must confess, I found myself pondering: What would that exquisite marble bathroom look like covered in soap scum? And how would this pristine sofa fare under a layer of cat hair? Or the massive custom-made kitchen island strewn with half-drunk cups of tea and unopened post? Under my supervision, it would only take a day or two for it to be cluttered with odds and ends. However, given the size of the property, even I would struggle to make a mess of it. But the garden - now that's where I could truly feel at home. With all that space, I'd go full Good Life - just hand me a spade and call me Barbara. As an avid gardener, I couldn't resist mentally planning it out with an allotment plot, a chicken coop, perhaps even a goat. And that enormous greenhouse - the greenhouse of dreams - would be filled to the brim with citrus trees, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines. I might even try growing melons. Oh, the things I'd cultivate. The marble bathroom (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) I could almost envision myself filming a segment for Gardeners' World, trying not to sound too self-satisfied as I explained how I gradually replaced the lawn with a lush herbaceous border to rival Great Dixter. As for the pool, well naturally, I couldn't resist a cheeky swim - the first person to do so. The temperature was, of course, absolutely spot on. That's coming from someone who's a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold water. And it's so private, you could skinny dip without a care in the world if that's your thing. Heck, you could go full Saltburn, blast Murder on the dance floor at full volume, and dance naked, as there's not a neighbour in sight to bat an eyelid. As with every Omaze house raffle, it's all for a good cause. This draw is in partnership with Guide Dogs UK, and the charity will receive at least £1 million, potentially much more depending on ticket sales, which will fund 675 puppies during their first eight weeks of life and help people with sight loss gain greater independence. During my brief visit, I had the delight of meeting Jean Jordan, who has been volunteering with Guide Dogs UK for an impressive 32 years. She brought along Mazey, an 18-week-old lab-retriever cross, who has just embarked on her guide dog training journey. Jean, hailing from Bristol, helps manage her family's gas engineering business, but in her spare time, she welcomes future guide dogs into her home, giving them a loving start in life. Frances with 18-week-old Mazey (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) She fosters these pups, providing early training and care before they transition to a specialist centre for the next phase of their journey, eventually finding their forever partner. She said: "Mazey has been a joy to raise. She's bright, affectionate, and already showing signs of being a brilliant guide dog. It's hard not to get attached, but knowing she'll go on to help someone makes it all worth it." Two million people are affected by sight loss in the UK and with the number projected to double by 2050, the work that these dedicated volunteers contribute is invaluable. But let's return to the million-pound question: is this my forever home? Would I stay or would I go? Can you picture me, living in this idyllic £5.5m Cotswold dream, just me and my cat Maggie? All those rooms! The hoovering! Article continues below I can barely manage my one-bedroom flat. The house is absolutely stunning - but still, I'd take the money and run off into the sunset, giggling all the way. *You can enter the Omaze house draw until midnight on Monday, 26 May by visiting the website: The winner will be announced on Friday, June 6.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
I got the keys to Omaze's latest luxury dream home – but would I keep it?
The latest multi-million pound house raffle from Omaze is a 17th-century Cotswolds farmhouse The nation has been captivated by the multi-million pound house raffle that has been heavily advertised over the last few years. Perhaps you've even thrown your hat into the ring. The Omaze house draw offers not just the chance of winning a plush new abode, but the opportunity to become an overnight millionaire, all for as little as a tenner. For the first time, the Express was given exclusive access – a sneak peek inside the latest grand prize before its new owner moves in. This is the 38th property Omaze has put up for grabs in its five-year history, and many of the previous fortunate winners have chosen to sell rather than move in. Past properties have ranged from a sleek Cornish cliffside dwelling and a stately Georgian townhouse in central London, to a Highlands mansion. This time around, it's a 17th-century farmhouse nestled in the Cotswolds, boasting five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two living rooms, a large kitchen-diner, a boot room, two utility rooms, a couple of extra rooms, plus a separate guest cottage. It comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees taken care of, plus a handy £250,000 in cash to assist with the bills. For city dwellers reluctant to ditch the hustle and bustle permanently, an overnight stay at a country pad might scratch the quiet life itch. On Airbnb, there's a Cotswold Manor House, set in its own grounds in a beautiful National Trust Village on the River Thames. It comes with a cool price tag starting from £1,200 a night, but it can fit up to 16 guests, which works out at £75 per person per night. It has six bedrooms (with 11 beds) and five bathrooms, which makes it ideal for a big group gathering. For days out, look to the National Trust. Much of Downton Abbey's 2019 movie and original TV series was filmed in National Trust places, and fans can visit a lot of the locations, for example, Basildon Park is the real-life Grantham House. Arriving at the Omaze property, journalist Frances Millar was granted exclusive access to the sprawling manor. Here's her thoughts on the country pad: With limited time to indulge in the fantasy of being the 'Lady of the Manor', I was eager for a thorough exploration, half-hoping to encounter a loose door handle for a moment of schadenfreude. Yet, disappointingly, perfection prevailed. The gravel drive crunched underfoot, leading to a stunning Cotswold stone farmhouse engulfed in wisteria and pink roses, immersed in a verdant cottage garden. All around, the tranquillity was palpable, marked only by birdsong and my own awestruck exclamation: "Oh my god, it's huge." The imposing home spans over 6,000 square feet of luxurious living space set within expansive countryside grounds, boasting a wildflower meadow, an orchard ripe for scrumping in autumn, an enormous greenhouse, stables, outbuildings, and even a heated outdoor swimming pool. Inside, the decor is impeccably tasteful, as if lifted from the pages of Country Life Magazine. The colour scheme features soothing sage greens, creams, and duck egg blues, complemented by plush furnishings, flagstone floors, and beamed ceilings. It epitomises the idyllic English country living; however, as a true Londoner and someone who doesn't always keep things spotless, contemplation struck me: How would that splendid marble bathroom fare against everyday soap scum? Or what about the flawless sofa after encounters with a shedding cat? Or the massive custom-made kitchen island strewn with half-finished cups of tea and unopened mail? Under my supervision, it would only take a day or two for it to become a jumble of odds and ends. However, considering the size of the property, even I might struggle to create chaos. Next, it was time to view the garden at the Omaze Cotswold farmhouse. I couldn't resist envisioning it filled with an allotment plot, a chicken run, perhaps even a goat. And that enormous greenhouse - the greenhouse of dreams - would be teeming with citrus trees, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines. I might even try growing melons. Oh, the variety of plants I'd cultivate. I could almost picture myself presenting a segment for Gardeners' World, trying not to sound too self-satisfied as I explained how I gradually replaced the lawn with a lush herbaceous border to rival Great Dixter. As for the swimming pool, naturally, I couldn't resist a quick swim - the first person to do so. The water temperature was, of course, absolutely spot on. That's coming from someone who's usually averse to cold water. And it's so private, you could skinny dip without a care in the world if that's your preference. Heck, you could go full Saltburn, blast Murder on the Dance Floor at maximum volume, and dance naked, with no neighbours around to bat an eyelid. Every Omaze house raffle is a chance to win big and do good, with the latest draw supporting Guide Dogs UK. The charity is set to receive at least £1 million – a sum that could soar with ticket sales – enough to support 675 puppies in their first two months and aid individuals with sight loss to lead more independent lives. On my visit, I had the honour of meeting Jean Jordan, a Bristol native who's dedicated an astonishing 32 years to volunteering with Guide Dogs UK. She introduced me to Mazey, a lab-retriever cross puppy at 18 weeks, just embarking on her training to become a guide dog. Jean juggles running her family's gas engineering business with her passion for nurturing future guide dogs. In her spare time, she provides a warm and caring environment for the puppies, offering them early training and care before they progress to a specialist centre and eventually meet their lifelong human companion. Jean shared her experience with Mazey: "Mazey has been a joy to raise. She's bright, affectionate, and already showing signs of being a brilliant guide dog," as the pup enjoyed a nap by her feet. It's hard not to get attached, but knowing she'll go on to help someone makes it all worth it." With two million people affected by sight loss in the UK – a figure expected to double by 2050 – the contribution of volunteers like Jean is truly priceless. But let's return to the million-pound question: is this my forever home? Would I stay or would I go? Can I envision myself living in this idyllic £5.5m Cotswold dream, just me and my cat Maggie? All those rooms! The hoovering! I can barely manage my one-bedroom flat. The house is absolutely stunning - but still, I'd take the money and gleefully dash off into the sunset. *You can participate in the Omaze house draw until midnight on Monday, 26 May by visiting the website: The winner will be revealed on Friday, June 6.
